Faith. Imaan is truly something special.
It’s not inherited like our genetic makeup…and it’s not something you simply just have.
Imaan is a gift from Allah swt, a truly special gift that we must guard, nurture, and keep kindled.
And though Imaan is natural, it requires that we put in work to keep it alive.
As we move through this dunya, and gather our life experiences, how we build and structure those pieces often shape our experience of Imaan. How we use the guidance that Allah swt gives us, determines the value of our Imaan...and how long we can make it last.
Allah swt asks us in the second ayah from surat al-ankaboot: اَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ اَنۡ يُّتۡرَكُوۡۤا اَنۡ يَّقُوۡلُوۡۤا اٰمَنَّا وَهُمۡ لَا يُفۡتَـنُوۡنَ 'Do the people think that they will be left to say, 'We believe' and they will not be tested?
Allah promises us that he will test us...If we are to call ourselves believers, then we guarantee a test from our creator! And subhanAllah sometimes these tests are difficult. And we know that Al-Rahmaan reminds us in surat al-baqarah لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا 'Allah will not burden a soul with more than what they can handle' (2:286)
Think about the last time you felt your faith was weak...that you’ve perhaps given up hope. That feeling of despair, not being able to see...Missing the light of Iman, is in and of itself a test from Allah.
How beautiful is it that our Creator gives us the answer to rekindling our Imaan, and seeking help:
وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ And seek help through patience and prayer, and this indeed, is a hard thing for all but the humble in spirit. (2:45)
Faith is not static…when we need Allah the most , we often feel the strong unwavering warmth of Imaan…but at other times it dims and flickers.Perhaps a test from Allah is an opportunity to humble ourselves to Him...and a chance for us to rekindle our taqwa of Him.
O Allah, replace our fears with your Remembrance O Alalh, replace our doubts, with seeking your forgiveness O Allah, allow us to keep the fire of Iman alive in our hearts , till we meet you.. ameen
Experience my reflection on these verses as part of MAS In The Shade Of Ramadan Season 9 video:
https://youtu.be/reOm3IrVaT4
2 Comments
Rekindling a fire is a great analogy for reviving our eman. Jazak Allah Khair for this beneficial reminder.